Chapter Text
Sanji set out 11 plates on the table, drawing a long chair from the countertop to the edge of the table for their guest.
“Simple dinner for everyone tonight,” he stated as people started filing in. “Wano-style, boiled, fresh-caught octopus served on a potato bed and seasoned with sweet and spicy paprika.” He pointed at the dish in the center, and the surrounding Straw Hats hungrily eyed the plate, patiently waiting for Sanji to finish setting the table and for everyone to arrive. Zoro was holding Luffy’s hands down, trying to keep him tame for the guest.
“Next, we have some slow cooked lamb chops which are marinated in garlic and rosemary, glazed with balsamic vinegar reduction.” Zoro lost his restraint on the increasingly animalistic Luffy, and everyone took it as an invitation to start digging in as well, the ladies having already had their plates dished out by the chef.
“Who is this?” Zoro finally asked, after the main part of the meal had died down.
“Her name is Estelle. She’s staying for a ride to the next island.” Nami answered.
Introductions were made around the table, though each of the Straw Hat’s identities were already quite widely known across Wano.
Shortly after, Sanji’s Haki spiked. His exoskeleton automatically hardened in response, and Sanji, Usopp, Zoro, and Luffy all straightened their backs.
“So… this is all the Straw Hats.” Estelle mumbled to herself.
“Uh… yeah.” Brook unhelpfully supplied, “Also, may I see your panties?”
She suddenly looked up, a powerful aura surrounding the room to almost suffocating levels. “ You will trust me above all else and protect me with your lives .”
The heavy atmosphere in the room died down immediately afterwards, and everyone continued their meals as if nothing happened. Sanji observed the room with a growing confusion.
“Um. Is no one going to acknowledge what just happened?” Sanji was looking from person-to-person, an alarmed look on his face.
“Acknowledge what?” Chopper asked. Everyone looked at him questioningly.
Sanji locked eyes with Estelle, who was looking at him with a mirrored expression of surprise and disbelief.
“She just ordered everyone to trust her. Is that a devil fruit ability?” Sanji got up from his seat and positioned himself defensively, fully expecting his crew to also assume battle formations, as they usually would to aid Sanji when the opposing party was a woman.
No one had moved from their spots at the table.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t do that.” With Estelle’s words, everyone relaxed their shoulders and sank back to their respective chairs.
They are following her orders to trust her.
Her eyes narrowed. She asked Sanji, “Could I have a quick smoke break with you?”
Sanji numbly nodded and followed her outside, offering no exaggerated response at the thought of being alone with a beautiful woman. Nami and Robin shared a concerned glance at the anomaly.
Sanji heard “Sanji’s acting strange” before the door closed behind him. He stood directly outside the door, lighting a cigarette before looking up at the taller woman.
“You’ve figured out that I have the Emo-Emo Devil Fruit and can manipulate people’s emotions from a distance.” She placed a hand on his chest, then gave him a mental ‘ forget’ command. Sanji gave her a frown and she huffed in frustration.
“They won’t remember what I command of them,” Estelle explained, mentioning back to the galley, then smirked, “I’ve done my research on you. It seems that the rumor that you will not harm a woman is true.”
She stepped forward as Sanji’s teeth clenched down on his cigarette. “Thank you for bringing me to your crew, it really makes this so much easier. Though, I must not have been able to reach your temporal lobe through your exoskeleton.”
How did she know so much? Sanji’s mind reeled with panic at the situation unfolding in front of him.
“I would normally have ordered your crew to kill you and forget, but since you helped me back at the island, I will give you a chance.”
Sanji let out a shaky breath. What does she want with the Straw Hats? The possibilities are endless.
“Give Monkey D. Luffy an ultimatum- you or me on the ship from Wano.” She tilted her head to the side, then continued in a sing-song voice. “Or I make them kill you.”